From Bob Wilder: "I recently purchased a 1955 Special OSCA
as a project car and am starting a much needed restoration. According to
2 articles in Motor Racing News in 1955 and 1956 by Hans Tanner,
the car was constructed for Bro Crim, the son of a wealthy east Texas oil
family that went to Italy to purchase a car and learn to race in Italian
road and circuit events. In late 1955 or early 1956, Crim and the car returned
to the Ft. Worth area where reportedly Crim joined the SCCA and raced in
regional SCCA races for the next 3-6 years. Little history on the car is
available after Crim returned to Ft. Worth and in the mid 1980's the car
turned up in New York City at a used sports car dealer's shop where the
restoration languished another 20+ years before I purchased the car."

"We are seeking any information on this car from the mid 1950's
to the mid 1980's. There is some belief that the engine, transmission and
rear end were removed and the car was turned into a modified drag car which
is possible since when I purchased the car, the original engine, transmission
and rear end were missing."

"This picture of the car is from a 1955 Motor racing news article.
As you can see, the car was American racing colors- white with blue stripes;
and according to Crim's son who has vague recollections of this car, it
was always this color. Crim's son also remembers his father racing it at
Eagle Mountain.

Please let me know if you uncover any information, pictures or history
of this car. Restoring the car will be much easier and more correct if
we know what we are trying to restore it to look like."

"I remember seeing a pic of the car when it was new.
The only thing I can tell you is that Shelby not only knew Crim, but may
have been his entrant for one race. Not the OSCA however."

From website and contributor and historic racer Bob Engberg:
(1-4-08)

"What a beautiful OSCA. I think that Crim's nickname was "Bo" rather than "Bro." He entered an Elva MK II with fiberglass body at the
Eagle Creek races in 1957. The Elva had been destined to compete at Sebring
but was DNS. The mechanic working on the front of the
Elva (see photo) has "Carroll
Shelby" monogramed on his shirt so perhaps there is a Crim- Shelby connection
that Peter might wish to pursue."

More from Michael T. Lynch: (1-9-08)

"Shelby drove an XK-120 for Crim at Bergstrom AFB on 12 Apr 53.
DNF."

"Mansfield LA. Race 2. Crim entered an Elva for Shelby.
Retired. "

(11-8-09) More from Bob Wilder:

"Here is some new information since you put my car on your web site
and some updated history and pictures:

1. We are still looking for the original OSCA engine (1100 cc) #
1111 and Siata transmission that was reportedly taken to the Chicago area
by an individual in 1956-57 we donít know but we do know his two
Air Force army friends- Lawrence Johnson and Harold Hartman, both
officers were stationed in Texas at the time.

2. The car had an interesting initial history (1950-1954) in Italy,
and we have attached the history update.

3. The car was raced at Eagle Mountain, TX on March 3, 1956
by Crim. We believe it was raced least one more time in 1956 at Eagle Mountain
but we are not sure.